PHOENIX, Ariz. (April 21, 2011) – There is little doubt budget battles have brought labor unions to the forefront of American politics. From California to Wisconsin to New Jersey, Americans are seeing city and state governments forced to contend with the unreasonable demands unions place on taxpayers already struggling with the economic downturn. What voters may not realize is how the hand of unions strikes close to home, even as close as the general election for the Town of Gilbert.

Robert S. Graham, local businessman and author of the right-to-work book, Job Killers: The American Dream in Reverse, has watched unions’ underhanded tactics infiltrate the politics of the incumbent candidates in Gilbert. As such, he is calling out the candidates’ actions in a direct mail piece that will hit Gilbert voters’ mailboxes this week.

“Voters deserve to know the truth about these incumbent candidates. I question their true support of Gilbert when they have supported tax increases in one of the worst recessions our country has ever experienced and accepted campaign contributions from outside union groups,” Graham said. “Why on earth do Phoenix, Mesa, Avondale and Goodyear unions have an interest in a Gilbert town race?”

Mailer highlights:

Linda Abbott

Voted for a 6% fee increase on businesses while voting for a 2% cost of living increase for public employees of Gilbert.

Voted to put a 17% sales tax increase on the ballot in the form of Prop. 406.

Accepted campaign contributions from local and national unions as far away as Washington, D.C.

Supported three tax increases in defiance of the Citizen Budget Committee’s recommendation of no new taxes.

Supported three tax increases in defiance of the Citizen Budget Committee’s recommendation of no new taxes.

It should also be noted all four of these candidates accepted donations from a Southwest Ambulance employees’ political-action committee. The donations to their accounts landed the same year they voted to extend the company’s contract with the city despite a request from Councilwoman Daniels to wait until after the election to expand.

“While Arizonans are fighting to keep their jobs, current Gilbert council members are working to pad the wallets of union members at the cost of tax payers,” Graham said. “It’s time Gilbert residents vote to protect their jobs and their livelihoods from the same erosive special interests bankrupting cities across our nation.”

Robert S. Graham is President and CEO of RG Capital, a successful financial advisory, investment banking/consulting and corporate development business in Scottsdale, Arizona. He has also profitably managed three operating companies and three venture start-ups. Graham has been regionally recognized by AZ Business Magazine as one of the Top Entrepreneurs and nationally, by Boomer Market Advisor magazine as the 2007 Advisor of the Year.

Graham’s book, Job Killers: The American Dream in Reverse, tackles the labor movement, calling for its complete eradication. Graham spent years studying labor unions, calculating their influence on each state’s ability to thrive financially. His findings, detailed in the book, are surprising and have captured the attention of national and local media outlets and organizations.

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